Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 17
  1. #1
    Senior Member SteveJJ's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Minneapolis, MN
    Hammock
    DangerBird 72
    Tarp
    Kelty 12' for now
    Insulation
    UGQ Zeppelin 20°
    Suspension
    Whoopie Sling, DIY
    Posts
    385

    Tarp cords cause tree damage?

    Hi,

    I'm making my first tarp, and since I'm new at this, I'm wondering if a tarp's line wrapped around a tree can cause damage, or if tree bark can damage the ridgeline/suspension?

    I can imagine that a high wind might be the only threat, but thought I'd ask the collective if you've noticed bruising from tarp lines around the tree?

    I have enough strap material to make a set for the tarp, but would like to avoid that if possible.

    Thank in advance for sharing your experience. I hope you never notice where I set up my gear once I've gone!

    Steve J

  2. #2
    Senior Member Bubba's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    SW Ontario, Canada
    Hammock
    WBBB 1.7 SL
    Tarp
    WB Superfly
    Insulation
    WB and UGQ
    Suspension
    Whoopies or Straps
    Posts
    7,184
    Images
    248
    I've never noticed any problems and can't recall reading about any. It seems the majority of people just tie their tarp ridgelines directly around the trees. I don't think there would be enough tension from the tarp to cause issues.
    Don't let life get in the way of living.

  3. #3
    Senior Member Rug's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Chatham, ON. Canada
    Hammock
    WBBB 1.7Dbl
    Tarp
    Maccat Deluxe
    Insulation
    JrB TQ/UQ,Crownest
    Suspension
    Whoopie Sling
    Posts
    676
    Images
    6
    I have noticed damage on every tree I have ever tried to hang from. This includes:
    Maple, Oak, Walnut, and a couple of different types of pine.

    After this season I will only use huggers with tarp ridge-line.

    A few notes for full-disclosure:
    I use the 2.0(?)mm green Dynaglide/Zing-it/Lash-it, and string it "bango-twang tight".

    I wrap one end around the tree and connect back to the line with a biner. The other end goes around the opposite tree and is then lashed through a Dutch-fly.

    My tarp is then secured with Fig-9's and prussics.

    When I am attaching the line I am very careful not to 'saw' into the tree, but the pressure I achieve still digs into the bark.
    I ride a recumbent.
    I like to HAM it up on the CW.
    I use Linux.
    I play go.
    Of course I sleep in a hammock!

    Rug.

    Hang On!

  4. #4
    slowhike's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Winston-Salem, NC
    Hammock
    DIY, gathered end , w/ spreader
    Tarp
    JRB Universal
    Insulation
    DAM/ HG Incubator
    Suspension
    Webbing and rings
    Posts
    11,677
    Images
    319
    Here's an idea you could try if you have access to oxygen line like used on a fish tank, CPAP, etc.
    I too will something make and joy in it's making

  5. #5
    Senior Member Doctari's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Cincinnati, Oh
    Hammock
    WBBB
    Tarp
    Custom OES
    Insulation
    DIM UQ NoSniv TQ
    Suspension
    JRB Triglide/strap
    Posts
    3,002
    Images
    30
    With the TARP, I've never noticed any damage, even on my VERY soft barked Ginkgo trees.
    With the Hammock, even with 1" webbing, my usual hanging trees in the back yard are starting to show some damage after years of use, so I picked a few more pairs to spread out the "Love".
    BUT, except for the Ginkgo (that I will never tie to again) I have never noticed one use damage from either my hammock or tarp suspension. AND, my usual tress show no signs of wear & etc where I hook in the tarp, which is usually about 8" above or below the hammock suspension, depending on many factors.
    When you have a backpack on, no matter where you are, you’re home.
    PAIN is INEVITABLE. MISERY is OPTIONAL.

  6. #6
    Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Greenville, SC
    Hammock
    11ft DIY
    Tarp
    AHE Toxaway
    Insulation
    DIY Primaloft
    Suspension
    whoopie slings
    Posts
    96
    Images
    8
    i have seen where it looks like my tarp line (and tree huggers for the hammock) seem to leave an indention in the bark of the tree when i first tear down camp. But i always check again right before leaving at by that point there is not a visible enough mark on the tree to know i had hung there. it seems as if the bark gives way under the pressure but bounces back when the pressure is gone. This has just been my experience. i've noticed it on oak, maple and pine trees.

  7. #7
    Banned
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Lubbock, Texas
    Hammock
    ENO Double Nest
    Tarp
    Camo Superfly
    Insulation
    DIY Thinsulate UQ
    Suspension
    Whoopie Slings
    Posts
    323
    Quote Originally Posted by slowhike View Post
    Here's an idea you could try if you have access to oxygen line like used on a fish tank, CPAP, etc.
    I like this idea of using the oxygen line and I just happen to have some

  8. #8
    Senior Member RootCause's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    MN
    Hammock
    WB Traveller or my DIY gathered-end
    Tarp
    DIY 8x10
    Insulation
    Pads, usually
    Suspension
    Whoopies+Dutchgear
    Posts
    570
    Quote Originally Posted by slowhike View Post
    Here's an idea you could try if you have access to oxygen line like used on a fish tank, CPAP, etc.
    I've never noticed any damage from my tarp lines, I use 1/8" poly line.

    Another alternative is to place a couple small sticks vertically between the tree and your tarp line, to hold the line away from the bark and spread out the remaining pressure.

  9. #9
    Senior Member kayak karl's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    South, South Jersey
    Posts
    3,325
    Images
    7
    i use zing-it, but was asked by a ranger to use tree straps. he was nice about it. he had just got everybody in other sites to take down cloth lines.
    "Tenting is equivalent to a bum crawling into a cardboard box, hammocking is an art" KK

  10. #10
    Senior Member myles to go's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    New Brunswick ,CANADA
    Hammock
    DIY "WARBIRD"
    Tarp
    OES STD,WB BMJ
    Insulation
    Golite TQ/leigh UQ
    Suspension
    WHOOPIES
    Posts
    406
    This is what I have been doing lately to help reduce the sawing action of tightening the tarp ridgeline around the tree. I found that it allows the line to slide on the tree without digging in as much as it was before. I Wasn't finding much damage before but with all the talk awile back in the thread "abandoning tree straps" I wanted to take it a step further and help protect the tarp line as well. It is simply just small tubular webbing around 18" long slipped over the line were it goes around the trees.

  • + New Posts
  • Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

    Similar Threads

    1. Tree Damage
      By doc in forum Suspension Systems, Ridgelines, & Bug Nets
      Replies: 31
      Last Post: 09-20-2012, 16:39
    2. The "MP Tree Saver": Serious about tree damage and line chafe
      By DemostiX in forum Suspension Systems, Ridgelines, & Bug Nets
      Replies: 5
      Last Post: 05-29-2011, 10:01
    3. The "MP Tree Saver": Serious about tree damage and line chafe
      By DemostiX in forum General Hammock Talk
      Replies: 3
      Last Post: 05-29-2011, 08:14
    4. Tarp Ridge anchor points & tree damage.
      By BearChaser in forum Suspension Systems, Ridgelines, & Bug Nets
      Replies: 13
      Last Post: 04-24-2011, 10:54
    5. Tree Damage?
      By Curt in forum General Hammock Talk
      Replies: 6
      Last Post: 05-12-2007, 18:41

    Tags for this Thread

    Bookmarks

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •